Visual card rotary index



Oct. 18, 1966 l. RUINA 3,279,471

VISUAL CARD ROTARY INDEX Filed Aug. 5, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet l 14/ 16 7 42 1NVENToR/ BY Irving Raina.

ATTUHNEYS 1. RUINA VISUAL CARD ROTARY INDEX Oct. 1 8, 1966 Filed Aug. 5, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. BY bwmy Fuma Oct. 18, 1966 I. RUINA 3,279,471

VISUAL CARD ROTARY INDEX Filed Aug. 3, 1965 .3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I 154 f q 16 s &

2 10 1 0 Fry J]. A

INVENTOR /rwjng Raina United States Patent 3,279,471 VISUAL CARD ROTARY INDEX Irving Ruina, Cooper Drive, Shrub Oak, N.Y. Filed Aug. 3, 1965, Ser. No. 476,916 9 Claims. (Cl. 129-16) This invention relates to visual index card filing systems and more particularly to rotatable index card files. I It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a visual rotatable index card file which is adapted for easy removal and replacement of the selected card or cards.

Another object of this invention is to provide horizontally disposed indexing slots which are in alignment with card-holding channels.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a rotatable index card file which is simple to operate, extremely accurate and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

A better understanding of the invention may be derived from the following description when considered in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a rotatable index card file embodying the invention; cards being shown therein, a card being shown partly removed.

FIG. 2 is a view in section taken along lines 22 of FIG. 1, and showing one of the index cards being removed from the file; on an enlarged scale.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view as seen from the left of FIG. 2, parts being shown broken away.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary detail view of a card holding slot, with card shown partly in and out.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary disassembled perspective view showing a card preparatory to insertion into a channel,

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary disassembled perspective view showing a modified form of card holding channel.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 77 of FIG. 6, parts being shown broken away.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the blank from which the channels of FIG. 6 is made, parts being shown broken away.

i FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of an index card file embodying another modified form of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a detail perspective view of the shaft and handle mounting.

Referring now to the drawings, the rotatable index card file 10 includes a substantially rectangular stand 12, both sides of the stand having elevated rib portions 14 which are provided with threaded holes 16. On both longitudinal sides of rib portions 14, the stand 12, there are two side plates 18 and 20, upper portions of which are of semi-annular configuration. Each of the plates have a centrally located hole 22. Each plate 18 or 20 has flanges 24 and 26 extending transversely toward each other, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus flange 24 is integrally connected with plate 18 and flange 26 is integrally connected with side plate 20. It should be noted (see FIG. 2) that both flanges 24 and 26 form a circular configuration on the inside of plates 18 and 20. Extending downwards from the circular flanges 24, 26 are plate side Walls 28 and 30, which terminate at stand 12, as .shown in FIG. 1. At the bottom of the plates 18 and 20 there are holes 32 adapted to be aligned with threaded holes 12 of the elevated portion 14 of the stand 16. The plates 18 and 20 are thus fastened to the stand 12 by means of screws 34. The outer ends 38 of the turnable axis 36 are positioned within holes 22 of the side plates 18 and 20. The rotating circular frame 42 consisting of a hollow shaft 44 is adapted to rotate on shaft 36 and two circular disks 46, 48 are integrally connected to the hollow shaft 44 as shown in FIG. 2. On the inside of the upper portions of the disks 46, 48 provisions are made for channels or cutouts 50, '52 respectively which are adapted to hold the index cards 54 in such a manner, that the upper edges of the cards do not touch flanges 24, 26 of the plates 18 and 20. Screws 56 on each side of plates 18 and 20 secure these plates to the axis 36 which is perpendicularly disposed in relationship to disks 46, 48 and plates 18, 20.

It should be noted that screws 56 are screwed into holes 58 located within the ends of axis 36, thus securing plates 18 and 20 on the outer ends 38, 40 of the-axis '36. Circular disk 46 is spaced from side plate 18 by spacer 60 and circular disk 48 is spaced from side plate 20 by a spacer 62. Both of these spacers serve the purpose to keep circular disks 46 and 48 from touching the inside portions 64 of side plates 18 and 20, thereby preventing the side plates 18 and 20 from interfering with the rotation of circular frame 42 about the axis 36. On the flange 24 of the plate 18, a provision is made for a slot 66 which is on the same horizontal plane as the slot 68 positioned on the flange 26 of the opposing side plate 20.

In operation, index cards 54 which are located within channels 50, 52 of circular frame 42 are rotated by a user who desires to select and remove a card or cards from the rotatable index card file 10. When the desired card is positioned between the horizontally positioned slots 66 and 68, the card is raised and removed.

Thus the removal of the card is made very easy, because the flanges 24, 26 of the side plates do not prevent or hinder the upward movement of the card located beneath slots 66, 68. As it can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 the card is raised from any one of the channels 50, 52 of the circular frame 42 through the slots 66, 68 of the flanges 24, 26. This is made possible because of vertical alignment between slot 66 of the flange 24 and any .one of the channels 50, 52 of the circular frame 42 and between slot 68 and any one of the channels 52. It is also obvious that each channel 50 is in horizontal alignment with the opposing channel 52. Furthermore, these channels are adapted to hold more than one of the index cards 54, as shown in FIG. 4. Also, if desired it is easy to insert the previously removed or a new card into the same or different location, i.e., channels 50, 52.

In the modified version of this invention, shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, inclusive, densely corrugated channels are provided. These channels are formed from a strip 112 of sheet metal and are fixedly attached to the circular disks 114, 116 by means of spot welding 118 (see FIG. '7). These disks, in turn, are secured to the hollow shaft by means of spot welding 122. Circular disks 114, 116 and hollow shaft 120 are adapted to rotate about the axis (not shown) just like the corresponding disks and hollow shaft shown in FIGS. 1 to 6. As it can beseen fromFIG. 7, the side plates 124, 126 include flanges 128, 130 which, in turn, have slots 132, 134. Slots 132, 134 perform the same function as slots 66, 68 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, i.e., the desired index card is positioned .between theseslots and is easily removed therefrom. Also, channels 110 are adapted to hold cards in such a manner that the bottom of the card is fully resting on the bottom portion 136 of the channel 110.

The modified form of index card file 10 shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, inclusive, differs from the file shown in FIG. 2 in that in place of the cutouts or channels 50 and 52, the rotating circular frame 42' is formed with a ring 140 secured to the outer enlarged portions 142 and 144- respectively of the discs 46 and 48. The discs 46' and 48' are formed with central hub portions 146 provided with square openings 148 to support a shaft 44 square in cross section so that upon turning of the shaft the frame turns. The plates 18 and 20 are formed with central hub portions 150 with round holes 152 to receive the round extensions 154 of the shaft 44'. A solid discshaped hand wheel 156 is slipped over each round extension 150 and is secured thereon by a set screw 158 extending through a radial passage 160 in the wheel. The cards 54' are seated on the periphery of the ring 140, projecting outwardly of the frame. The frame supporting the cards are turned manually by means of either of the hand wheels 156.

As changes can be made in the above described construction, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown on the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A rotatable index card file comprising a circular frame including a hollow shaft and a pair of circular disks integrally secured to said shaft, an axis surrounded by said hollow shaft and said disks of said frame, said shaft and said disks adapted to rotate about said axis, a pair of side plates having holes therein and adapted to admit the outer units of said axis, a pair of screws on each end of said axis for securing each of said plates to said each end of said axis, a stand having the bottom portion of each said side plate secured thereto, a plurality of channels disposed within said disks, a plurality of index cards adapted to be removably held within said channels and capable of rotating around said axis in accordance with the rotation of said disks, a circular flange integrally connected with each of said side plates, said flanges extending inwardly over the periphery of an adjacent disk and closing the ends of the channels in said disks to prevent the cards from falling out of the channels, a slot within each of said flanges, said slots being horizontally spaced from each other and vertically positioned with one of said channels whereby a card in channels aligned with said slots may be removed through the slots.

2. A rotatable index card file comprising a circular frame including a hollow shaft and a pair of circular disks integrally secured to each outer end of said shaft, an axis surrounded by said shaft and said disks of said frame, said shaft and said disks adapted to rotate about said axis, a pair of side plates having holes therein and adapted to admit the outer ends of said axis, said axis having threaded holes at the ends thereof, a pair of screws adapted to be inserted into said threaded holes for securing each of said plates to said each end of said axis, a stand having the bottom portion of each said side plate secured thereto, a plurality of channels disposed within said disks, a plurality of index cards adapted to be held within said channels and capable of rotating around said axis in accordance with the rotation of said disks, a circular flange integrally connected with each of said side plates, said flanges extending inwardly over the periphery of an adjacent disk and closing the ends of the channels in said disks to prevent the cards from falling out of the channels, a slot within each of said flanges, said slots being horizontally spaced from each other and vertically positioned with one of said channels whereby a card in channels aligned with said slots may be removed through the slots.

3. A rotatable index card file comprising a circular frame including a hollow shaft and a pair of circular disks integrally secured to each outer end of said shaft, an axis surrounded by said shaft and said disks of said frame, said shaft and said disks adapted to rotate about said axis, a pair of side plates having holes therein and adapted to admit the outer ends of said axis, said axis having threaded holes at the ends of said axis, a pair of screws adapted to be inserted into said threaded holes for securing each of said plates to each end of said axis, a stand having a pair of elongated ribs extending longitudinally on said stand, each of said ribs having a plurality of horizontally positioned holes, the lower portion of each of said side plates having a plurality of holes which are adapted to align with said holes on each of said ribs of said stand, a plurality of screws at said lower portions of said side plates for securing said side plates to said ribs of said stand, plurality of channels disposed within said disks, plurality of index cards adapted to be held within said channels and capable of rotating around said axis in accordance with the rotation of said disks of said frame, a circular flange integrally connected with each of said side plates, said flanges extending inwardly over the periphery of an adjacent disk and closing the ends of the channels in said disks to prevent the cards from falling out of the channels, a slot within each of said flanges, said slots being horizontally spaced from each other and vertically positioned with one ofsaid channels whereby a card in channels aligned with said slots may be removed through the slots.

4. A rotatable index card file comprising a circular frame including a hollow shaft and a pair of circular disks integrally secured to each outer end of said shaft, an axis surrounded by said shaft and said disks of said frame, said shaft and said disks adapted to rotate about said axis, a pair of said plates having holes therein and adapted to admit the outer ends of said axis, said axis having threaded holes at the ends of said axis, a pair of screws adapted to be inserted into said threaded holes for securing each of said plates to each end of said axis, a stand having a pair of elongated ribs extending longitudinally on said stand and integrally connected thereto, each of said ribs having a plurality of horizontally positioned holes, the lower portion of each of said side plates having a plurality of holes which are adapted to align with said holes on each of said ribs of said stand, a plurality of screws at said lower portions of said side plates for securing said side plates to said ribs of said stand, the upper portion of said disks having a plurality of channels which are located on the inside of each disk in such a manner that each of the channels of one disk is horizontally positioned from each channel of the other disk, a plurality of index cards located within said channels in such a manner that one side of said card being rcmovably held within one channel and the other side of said card being removably held within another channel so that the main portion of said card is removably secured in a suspended fashion between said channels of said disks, said cards being adapted to rotate around said axis in accordance with the rotation of said disks, a circular flange integrally connected with each of said side plates, said flanges extending inwardly over the periphery of an adjacent disk and closing the ends of the channels in said disks to prevent the cards from falling out of the channels, a slot within each of said flanges, said slots being horizontally spaced from each other and vertically positioned with one of said channels whereby a card in channels aligned with said slots may be removed through the slots.

5. A rotatable index card file comprising a circular frame including a hollow shaft and a pair of circular disks integrally secured to each outer end of said shaft, an axis surrounded by said shaft and said disks of said frame, said shaft and said disks adapted to rotate about said axis, a pair of said plates having holes therein and adapted to admit the outer ends of said axis, said axis having threaded holes at the ends of said axis, a pair of screws adapted to be inserted into said threaded holes for securing each of said plates to each end of said axis, a stand having a pair of elongated ribs extending longitudinally on said stand and integrally connected thereto, each of said ribs having a plurality of horizontally positioned holes, the lower portion of each of said side plates having a plurality of holes which are adapted to align with said holes on each of said ribs of said stand, a plurality of screws at said lower portions of said side plates for securing said side plates to said ribs of said stand, the upper portion of said disks having a plurality of channels which are located on the inside of each disk in such a manner that each of the channels of one disk is horizontally positioned from each channel of the other disk, a plurality of index cards located within said channels in such a manner that one side of said card being removably held within one channel and the other side of said card being removably held within another channel so that the main portion of said card is removably secured in a suspended fashion between said channels of said disks, said cards being adapted to rotate around said axis in accordance with the rotation of said disks, circular flanges extending transversely from said side plates toward each other and forming a circular rim around and spaced from each of said disks and closing the ends of said channels in said disks to prevent the cards from falling out of the channels, a slot within each of the flanges, said slot-s being horizontally spaced from each other and vertically positioned within one of said channels whereby a card in channels aligned with said slots may be removed through the slots.

6. A rotatable index card file comprising a circular frame including a hollow shaft and a pair of circular disks integrally secured to each outer end of said shaft, an axis surrounded by said shaft and said disks of said frame, said shaft and said disks adapted to rotate about said axis, a pair of said plates having holes therein and adapted to admit the outer ends of said axis, said axis having threaded holes at the ends of said axis, a pair of screws adapted to be inserted into said threaded holes for securing each of said plates to each end of said axis, a stand having a pair of elongated ribs extending longitudinally on said stand and integrally connected thereto, each of said ribs having a plurality of horizontally positioned holes, the lower portion of each of said side plates having a plurality of holes which are adapted to align with said holes on each of said ribs of said stand, a plurality of screws at said lower portions of said side plates for securing said side plates to said ribs of said stand, the upper portion of said disks having a plurality of channels which are located on the inside of each disk in such a manner that each of the channels of one disk is horizontally positioned from each channel of the other disk, a plurality of index cards located within said channels in such a manner that one side of said card being removably held within one channel and the other side of said card being removably held within another channel so that the main portion of said card is removably secured in a suspended fashion between said channels of said disks, said cards being adapted to rotate around said axis in accordance with the rotation of said disks, circular flanges extending transversely from said side plates toward each other and forming a circular rim around and spaced from each of said disks and closing the ends of said channels in said disks to prevent the cards from falling out of the channels, a slot within each of the flanges, said slots being horizontally spaced from each other and vertically positioned within one of said channels, and said slots being adapted to guide the removal of said cards from said channels whereby a card in channels aligned with said slots may be removed through the slots.

7. A rotatable index card file comprising a circular frame including a hollow shaft and a pair of circular disks integrally secured to each outer end of said shaft, an axis surrounded by said shaft and said disks of said frame, said shaft and said disks adapted to rotate about said axis, a pair of said plates having holes therein and adapted to admit the outer ends of said axis, said axis having threaded holes at the ends of said axis, a pair of screws adapted to be inserted into said threaded holes :for securing each of said plates to each end of said axis, a stand having a pair of elongated ribs extending longitudinally on said stand and integrally connected thereto, each of said ribs having a plurality of horizontally positioned holes, the lower portion of each of said side plates having a plurality of holes which are adapted to align with said holes on each of said ribs of said stand, a plurality of screws at said lower portions of said side plates for securing said side plates to said ribs of said stand, the upper portion of said disks having a plurality of channels which are located on the inside of each disk in such a manner that each of the channels of one disk is horizontally positioned from each channel of the other disk, a plurality of index cards located within said channels in such a manner that one side of said card being removably held within one channel and the other side of said card being removably held within another channel so that the main portion of said card is removably secured in a suspended fashion between said channels of said disks, said cards being adapted to rotate around said axis in accordance with the rotation of said disks, circular flanges extending transversely from said side plates toward each other and forming a circular rim around and spaced from each of said disks and closing the ends of said channels in said disks to prevent the cards from falling out of the channels, a slot within each of the flanges, said slots being horizontally spaced from each other and vertically positioned within one of said channels, and said slots being adapted to guide the insertion of said cards into said channels whereby a card in channels aligned with said slots may be removed through the slots.

8. A rotatable file as in claim 5 wherein said disks are spaced from said side plates by spacers.

9. A rotatable file as in claim 5 wherein a plurality of cards may be located within each of said channels.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 295,391 3/1884 Havens 312l87 957,784 5/19 10 Liebert 129l6 X 2,418,357 4/1947 Knittel 129-16 X 2,493,167 1/ 1950 Schocfield 129-16 2,541,185 2/1951 Adams 312-486 2,562,593 7/1951 Adams 129 l6 X JEROME SCHNALL, Primary Examiner, 

1. A ROTATABLE INDEX CARD FILE COMPRISING A CIRCULAR FRAME INCLUDING A HOLLOW SHAFT AND A PAIR OF CIRCULAR DISKS INTEGRALLY SECURED TO SAID SHAFT, AN AXIS SURROUNDED BY SAID HOLLOW SHAFT AND SAID DISKS OF SAID FRAME, SAID SHAFT AND SAID DISKS ADAPTED TO ROTATE ABOUT SAID AXIS, A PAIR OF SIDE PLATES HAVING HOLES THEREIN AND ADAPTED TO ADMIT THE OUTER UNITS OF SAID AXIS, A PAIR OF SCREWS ON EACH END OF SAID AXIS FOR SECURING EACH OF SAID PLATES TO SAID EACH END OF SAID AXIS, A STAND HAVING THE BOTTOM PORTION OF EACH SAID SIDE PLATE SECURED THERETO, A PLURALITY OF CHANNELS DISPOSED WITHIN SAID DISKS, A PLURALITY OF INDEX CARDS ADAPTED TO BE REMOVABLY HELD WITHIN SAID CHANNELS AND CAPABLE OF ROTATING AROUND SAID AXIS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ROTATION OF SAID DISKS, A CIRCULAR FLANGE INTEGRALLY CONNECTED WITH EACH OF SAID SIDE PLATES, SAID FLANGES EXTENDING INWARDLY OVER THE PERIPHERY OF AN ADJACENT DISK AND CLOSING THE ENDS OF THE CHANNELS IN SAID DISKS TO PREVENT THE CARDS FROM FALLING OUT OF THE CHANNELS, A SLOT WITHIN EACH OF SAID FLANGES, SAID SLOTS BEING HORIZONTALLY SPACED FROM EACH OTHER AND VERTICALLY POSITIONED WITH ONE OF SAID CHANNELS WHERBY A CARD IN CHANNELS ALIGNED WITH SAID MAY BE REMOVED THROUGH THE SLOTS. 